This is a true story in the life of Bree Wee one day in Nicaragua...
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3:30 wake up to a pig outside my window oink, oink, oinking till someone turned it into bacon, then it SQUEALED for help till my ears fell off! 4am the children marching for God stop in front of my house and play drums for us, let me remind you, ALL the children in town are marching this morning and banging on drums. Sleep is impossible because now the chickens are hanging out with me...GOOD MORNING NICARAGUA!! Yo ama Nicaragua!!
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A nice little run, a marriage proposal, and a bunch of high fives from the men on the way to work. Yes, it's true my ultimate dream is to one day live in Central or South America happily married, however I'd like to actually know the guy for more than 2 minutes, I sort of like teeth, and it helps if he has a job, oh...and I don't plan to move till Kainoa goes to college (14 years), so I turned down his hand...ahh, better luck next time Bree....
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Then Breakfast! Guess what I ate, BEANS AND RICE AND PINEAPPLE! I'm not counting but it was my 10th time this trip...lunch was number 11. Then off to school. I LOVE walking to school! Every shop is opening up and putting out fresh fruits and breads. All the town is happy, and everyone is holding hands. That is one thing I LOVE about Central America, everyone makes it clear the things they love and the people they love.... its funny to me how some couples of other cultures walk so far apart you'd never even know they were friends! Today I think the lovers were especially happy, the kissing was so intense that I felt a possibility of getting pregnant just watching them! This is no joke....it was "get a hotel" style, however, it beats the fighting and arguing you hear with other couples.
School was cool, he aprendido MUCHO. I'm falling so crazy in love with my Spanish class. Its so exciting learning of another country and culture, this kind of thing is my kind of living! My profesora thinks I'm crazy, I gave her some Chocolate covered mac nuts from Hawaii and she flunked me on my quiz...sucking up never worked for me and still doesnt! Oh no te preocupes, I redid the quiz and got an "A+"! Then I gave away my most favorite K-Swiss specially made-for-me shoes! One of the teachers LOVES my clothes/shoes so I promised them to her, by the looks of it, I will be flying home naked. Im struggling to say no to keeping anything, that's life though, you just keep giving till you have nothing left, then you still find more to give... Nicaragua, well, lots of places like this, do that to you.

Today was my shell collecting day too. Josue and I discovered the coolest piece of beach glass at the same time, he really wanted it more than me, he put it in his pocket, and looked for more shells. We found all sorts of shells but no more sea glass. At the end of our adventure he came over to me, gave me the sea glass and smiled. It spoke deep within my heart how he could give the very last thing he had. In all seriousness, he had nothing, he was fishing with his dad for dinner, no shoes, his brothers shorts on, and out of his poverty he still found something to give. I'll keep that glass forever. Standing still I am moved and Nicaragua has challenged me again!

After school I told my neighbor, Antonio, that we should go ride horses. A few moments later we were in his car and to his friend Guillermos house. I never met Guiellermo, but Antonio tossed me out of the car and said see ya in a few hours (in Spanish of course). Guiellermo and I just laughed and before you know it we were racing horses along the beach, up mountains, and through little towns. It was the most fun a girl could have on the back of a horse. A quick look at my watch and you guessed it, I MISSED MY SALSA CLASS! Sheeeeeeesh! Oooooop's!

Life is like that here. You wake up, no plans, just go with the flow. Before you know it you are in all sorts of trouble or in some sort of unplanned adventure. In my case I was on the back of a horse, on a mountain top, looking across the ocean at Costa Rica with a man I met only a few hours ago. Let's just say it was a very good Spanish lesson...and now I have to make my class up at 9pm tomorrow night, in the disco, with a bunch of Nico boys! It could be worse.... ha ha ha! My profesora will be there too, SALSA dancing here I come!

I found a few more chickens today... this time in the kitchen, not my room. I think they are breakfast tomorrow...YUMMY! I also found a really cool bright blue (celeste azul) dress! This is no joke, today my profesora told me that everyone of the women buy a new dress for the dance tomorrow (really for Christmas Eve), its the most celebrated holiday in Nicaragua. She said even the women with no money get a new dress. They save all year, wear the same clothes everyday but on Christmas Eve when they dress up for God in their best clothes. We walked to the market, looked at dresses, I about fell over with the thought of wearing one of those traditional big puffy dresses like the Nica women! ha ha ha, so I found a blue one. Being here has taught me to be even cheaper than I am, trying to spend no money, but in this case I figure its a nice way to "give to the town" by spending money, 4 dollars in case you are wondering....

Other than that.... the day was fantastico. I'm really tired, still have 4 more paragraphs to write with my homework. My little Nico brother is my adopted Kainoa, KAINOA I MISS YOU SO MUCH! I taught my little Nico brother to count to 5 in English today, he told me, English is ugly.... well amigo, you will learn to count to 10 by the time this girl goes home!

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Okay, I think its time to eat more beans or something like that. School tomorrow, LOVE it! Double run tomorrow, LOVE it! Then helping at the campo (most poverty touched part of Nicaragua). The napkins are ready as what will be seen tomorrow is not a sight for those with a soft spot for children. Then I have to make up for my missed salsa class with the 9pm dance class...oh boy... bright blue dress here I come! MERRY CHRISTMAS, I mean, FELIZ NAVIDAD!

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I love rice!

Bree

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Another sunset in Nicaragua, another day to love, another day to live...

5:53...wake up before the alarm to the children marching for God, chickens cock-a-doodle-doooing outside my window, and a man on a bike shouting, “verduras” at the top of his lungs. By 6:04 I was out the door and running. This morning was back to my most perfect off road trail. By 6:10 it was as if the entire town was awake and ready for action. These morning runs are the absolute best way to start my day. A few miles alone with my thoughts, some time to prepare my heart for the things I will see, and a bit of day dreaming too. By now I’m recognizing familiar faces, like the man walking his cows. Today I hid behind a tree when they passed, the ones with the horns scare me and I’m afraid running past them will cause them to chase me. The woman selling empanadas, and the truck full of men on the way to work also befriended me again this morning, this time they high-fived the crazy white girl running

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After the run was the same quick stop into the market for water, 9 cordobas, great deal! And for the first time in a million years I bought cow milk! I’m trying to live like the locals and I bought straight cow puss (sorry, it kind of grosses me out, I prefer Almond milk), they literally milk the cow and put it directly into a little plastic bag. Gulp, it made me almost hurdle, but I’m willing to try it, (at least it lacks the hormones and preservatives)…just not today…it will sit in the fridge till my guts are good and strong.

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Yesterday was a good day, last night was a great night. A car load of us made the trip back to Maderas. The surf was beautiful fun. Head high on set waves and breaking into a perfect sunset. There was a swim on my plan, however, the swim would have been more of fighting waves and incoming surfers, so I was back on the borrowed board, in Nicaragua that counts as swimming. I met a boy from Costa Rica and reminisced of all my most favorite Playa Hermosa moments…returning to school in Costa Rica was an option, but I took the road less traveled here in Nicaragua and I’m happy with my choice. Very happy. In the surf I made new friends with some of the local surfers. We traded waves and Spanish lessons. My smile was growing as it always does in the ocean. Just before sunset I decided to be a good girl and start my home work, yes I dragged my homework to the beach. Lucky for me my new amigos were willing to help… a few “ayudame por favors” and they were rambling off verbs and words I never knew existed! Just as the sun was about to set, my homework was done, that left me with time to watch the sunset and enjoy the moment. The surf and running here is truly amazing and truly keeping me calm in the middle of everything that is nearly breaking my heart. School went by too fast today, (never thought I would say that about school). I’m enjoying it so much and being able to speak with my family and the locals makes me want to learn more. Of course I am still mixing everything up, but it’s getting better. My homework tonight is translating an entire lecture from English to Spanish. It’s written in the past, then proceeds to the present, and finally goes into the future…my dictionary in hand, more rice beside me, I’m ready…quien quiere ayudame??? Today I found out I have school on Christmas and if I have plans, which I do, then I have to attend Saturday school. HUH? Oh Dios mio! At least it will help me with the “missing of Kainoa” that is sure to attack on Christmas!
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Today’s big adventure was a field trip after our classes. We went to La Playa Ramonso. It was a nice little beach tucked away. The purpose was to “speak Spanish” in a natural-non school setting. It was great fun as my chosen “natural setting” was the children and surfing. You got that right! A few children, them on surf boards, me helping! It was awesome! Most the children had never seen a camera and they all begged to touch it! I was taking videos of them surfing and playing it back, they were loving it as if it were gold!! The conversation was hilarious as they thought I was fluent and rambled to me a bunch of local words and slang…oh yes, I learned a lot! My class mates had soccer as their “natural setting“. It’s now 5pm, home from a long school day…

My class mates are from Sweeden, Switzerland, and Australia....however, this girl is SOLO with her own profesora...

My lovely profesora.... yes my lecture will be done!

Just home from my second run. This double-run day is a bit new for me, but it went fantastic. One man stopped to offer me a ride, he was very concerned seeing me running. Another man kissed his hand then smacked the kiss on my cheek! I am not kidding, I almost fell over and didn’t know if I should laugh or growl…FUN TIMES IN NICARAGUA. My family thinks I am officially crazy, not only for running, but doing it 2x in a day!! It’s now almost dinner, a walk through town at night awaits me, (we love our night walks here in Nicaragua, everyone walks after dinner). Lastly, I should tackle that lecture, I might be up till midnight with that thing! It’s as long as a short book! My hope is to find the surfer boys for a little help…I tried to convince my Nicaraguan family for help, but they protested….grrrrrrrr……..if that fails I might call the Argentina amigo even if it is 2am his time, (he’s my life line)…ha ha ha ha. Tomorrow the chickens will wake me, I might drink that milk in a bag, and the highlight of my day will be the 4pm dance class! Break out the salsa!!

Okay AMIGOS, disfrute la vida,
Bree
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Yesterday was so difficult for me, slightly homesick and totally heart broken. It was difficult to stand on my own two feet without tripping over my tears. The hard part was being in the middle of a life that from my view is challenging, because back home I have it so easy. In my mind I came prepared to give and when I arrived it hit me that it will never be enough, that at the end of this trip I am returning to my own little paradise, and this little town will still be in need of so much more...

It's mostly the children that break my heart, it's always been like that for me, as if I have a soft spot for those that aren't really able to help themselves or understand. Last night about 9pm I took a walk with a new friend I met, we talked about how happy everyone is and it hit me... happiness is not about having a bed, more than 4 chairs, having your own room, having a car, or even having more than just beans and rice for 3 meals a day. It's something you find from within... you can't buy it and someone else can't give it to you. Yesterday I was hurting because I felt as if I could never do enough and I realized these people do not need me, I need them. The entire town's power went out, not a single light except those from the stars above, and it dawned on me, when all is dark all over the world everywhere looks the same. My beautiful life with a car, my own bed, walls with pictures, look the exact same in the dark as the life I'm finding here. I have no idea how to really explain that, but real joy really is something from deep within, and its vivid here...

The Nicaraguans are beautiful...

The town is beautiful....

Today I fell into my routine. Woke up to the children banging drums and the chickens, took my 8 mile run on an untouched trail, was almost ran over by a cow, chased by cows, and blown kisses from a bus load of men on the way to work-lucky me! Beans, rice, and pineapple for breakfast. Then off to school.

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My walk to school takes about 15 minutes and I pass by dozens of little shops and people sharing morning gossip on the streets. My maestra is amazing! She speaks so fast and has more energy than imaginable! We breeze through lesson after lesson and finally go for a walk through town. The conversation part is most challenging for me. I understand all she says and I passed my written test with flying colors, its me talking back that I struggle with. After school I played with my little Nico brother, he's 5, I used him for more speech practice knowing he won't laugh, he did...

Tonight, yo tengo MUCHO tarea (lots of homework). I absolutely love it! Of course, somethings never change and this student will play first. Off to la playa! There is a swim on my plan, actually, el chico that let me borrow the surf board yesterday is loaning it to me AGAIN... so that's where you'll find me. Then home for beans and rice dinner. Tomorrow we have a field trip. Thursday is the day I'm counting down for, that is the day we get to go into the most poverty touched part of Nicaragua to give all the clothes, toys, and school supplies. After understanding that having more doesn't mean being happier, I'm a bit more prepared.

My temporary home sweet home :)

Nos Vemos,

Bree.

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I’m not sure where to begin, what to say or what to hold back. After finding my way through customs I find a man in a crowd of people, Carlos, holding a single piece of paper with the words written, “Bree Wee” on it. He grabs my over sized luggage, the very one I paid an overweight fee just so I could take from all the unneeded “stuff” I have in Hawaii and give to those with less here in Nicaragua. He opens the back door as he is the driver and me the passenger. I’ve learned that life is better lived in the front row. A lot like school, those hiding from the action sit in the back. No longer in high school, I want the front seat these days.
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The drive from Managua to San Juan Del Sur was certainly worth the view. The first town we drive through has me holding back tears. You can see into the homes and the view is simple. The homes are concrete walls, a single room with mats or a blanket on the floor. Most look like a few families share each home. Within the walls were maybe a foto or two hanging, a shelf with a single book or flower vase, a chair, and I didn’t see much else. The tears continued to make their way from my heart to my face. As we drove further into the towns I discovered everyone smiling, laughing, holding hands in the street. There was conversation and life. Perhaps when you have nothing to lose you have everything you need, these people were happy. More happy than a lot of people I know whom have everything the world can offer.
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Carlos is now driving like he is on a mission, we are reaching kilometers that make me thankful to have on a seatbelt. I’m hoping and praying the entire time that the men and women walking the streets stay off the road. Unshockingly, everyone drives like Carlos. The 2 lane highway, the paved sections and rocky parts, are also home to the horses and dogs we nearly collide with. Half way to San Juan Del Sur we stop for a drink. The rule here is not to give any begging children money. You can give them food, water, clothes, toys, just not money. Giving money is likely to be supporting a “habit”. Drugs, cigaretes, who knows.
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A young boy, maybe 7 years old taps on my window as I wait for Carlos in the market. He wants some change. Looking into his eyes I want to give him some, not knowing why he wants it and knowing I shouldn’t, I tell him, “sorry” or “lo siento”. He presses his young, innocent face to my window with tears rolling down his cheeks, as if to say, “please help”. My head shakes no. It’s the worst “no” I ever said. Away he walks and I watch him in the market. He comes out of the market, pulls out a small handful of coins, counts them, then puts them back into his pocket with disappointment, it perhaps was not enough. As he walks past the vehicle I call him over. At this moment all my motherly instincts take over, his eyes are brown, but all I see is Kainoa’s ocean blue eyes. At that moment, in that breath my heart told me to give him money. The young boy stared at me helplessly. I grabbed his little hand and put money into it then told him to tell nobody and get away before I was busted for giving him money. Im not sure what the boy will use the money for, Im hoping for food.
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The ride got more exciting with its twists and turns. What came next my seat belt could not have prepared me for. We get to a small town and it looks as if the entire population is on the street. They stand looking at a man, laying dead in the road. He had been hit by a speeding car on his walk home only minutes before we arrived. The town was there to identify who’s dad, brother, son, husband he was. Seeing the blood just pouring out of his lifeless body next to the car that hit him, I lost it completely and emotionally. Nicaragua has already tossed at me more than I was prepared for.
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2 hours later we arrive at my families. Everyone is smiling and happy. The home is simple, peaceful. Part of me feels so lonely, I already miss Kainoa. Now thinking in Spanish with so much to say I am at a loss for words. Everyday speech comes easy, but emotions I can only express in English. Finally to my pillow, I make myself a promise, that I will learn all I can, the Spanish, the culture, to embrace the simplicity of this life, and to discover whatever it is that Nicaragua can teach me.
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At 4am I awake to drums outside my window. The children of Nicaragua are marching to the church. All of December they celebrate the life God gave them by walking at 4am to arrive to church by 5am. Their singing and drums wake me from slumber. I try to fall back asleep, however I keep waking with a loneliness for Kainoa and all the thoughts of the homes we passed, the home I am in, and the man laying dead in the street. I decide to just stay awake and put all my thoughts on paper.
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The sun finally comes alive and my hour run is calling my name. The streets are full of women sweeping their dirt floors, men saddling up horses, children running after dogs, and vendors selling fruits, veggies, and meat on sticks. I find the beach and run on it till the very end. From there I see a foot bridge. Over the bridge is a trail that I take until a few stray dogs scare me to turn back. Most the dogs I passed were only curious, these were more like vicious dogs and I wasn’t in the mood for rabies. The run felt so good, the perfect way to clear my mind and calm my shaken heart.
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Back home Vanessa, (my Nicaraguan mom), is making breakfast. Gallo pinto it is. Fully immersed in Spanish with all those around the table. I’m reminded why I’m here. A couple of the students, neighbors, from school are heading to Maderas to surf. Already, day one, I was going surfing. The adventures have begun sooner than imagined. From horses in the streets, monkeys, and cows in the front yard, to the beach we went.
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The first paddle into the Pacific had my heart fully awake, surfing always does that to me. This was never intended to be a surf trip, I didn’t even bring a board. Borrowing a board I am now free under the waves and into the wild blue ocean. Everything finally goes calm. For being such a tranquil place there is too much happening within me to find peace. The ocean finally gives me the breathing room I need. This surf is my swim for the day...
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I’m now sitting at sunset in an internet café. Using the restroom is 5 Cordobas or 25 cents. There is more pineapple in my belly then imaginable, and everything smells like chicken. Tomorrow starts school and rumor from the other students is that I am in class alone. Just me and the teacher, no place to hide, totally exposed. This trip truly is front row seating only.

Muchos abrazos desde Nicaragua, and sorry, I have no spell check on this computer...

Bree

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It's time.... and very fittingly my beautiful neon blue watch reminds me it's "time". My bags are packed FULL. No bike, no fast skin, no transition bags. It's more like pencils, flash cards, and my notebook! Class starts Monday, 8am sharp...however, I'm thinking Nicaragua might be more like 8:30 or manana time. Whatever it is, I'll be there!
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My bags are full of school supplies for the children and clothes. Most all the clothes are mine, I over packed on purpose. Everything I am bringing I plan to leave to my Nica sister-in-law. Oh don't worry, a few Splish suits, K-Swiss run shoes, and a few bikini's made it into my luggage. Training is back on my "Let's do this" list. Run before school, swim after school, bike whenever I can borrow one. Nicaragua will also serve as my "base camp" to get 2010 Triathlon season back into action!
Kainoa is already missed and I'm still on the island with him. Some things will never change. Like the way he makes me juice every morning and makes me open fortune cookies that we never eat. HOWEVER... I like our most recent one:
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"A dream you have will come true". WOW.... what a way to kick start 2010! I have a few dreams rolling, any one of them coming true would be fine with me.

This morning was a swim with the Kiwi's. Sheeeeeesh, I nearly needed fins to hold onto their feet! I've heard and seen results of Bryan Rhodes being "first out of the water" race after race after race, well let's just say, I know why. Our main set was 200 easy 100 fast a bunch of times through and I'm pretty sure for me it was 200 hurt 100 die. I pushed off the wall at the same time as Aaron to make sure I didn't lose the draft from him and Bryan...it saved my life.

Here's the fuel of choice from my lane mates and I

After the swim it was off to the gym. My sessions with Denis the trainer from hell are finding their way back to my training routine. Unfortunately I am the sister with very little balance, lack of "breathing", and limited focus. Denis has helped me a lot this season in those areas and my hopes are in 2010 to make a little more progress...

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Okay... that's a wrap from Kona. Next stop Nicaragua. New run routes, another sunset, a different language, lots of rice and beans, and more swims in the Pacific Ocean...I'm ready.

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Have a good weekend!! Que tengas un BUEN fin de semana!! (better start with that espanol).

Bree

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Somebody told me 30 is one of the BEST decades you live... you are still young and adventurous but all of a sudden you have patience...the meaningless worries over spilt milk fade away as you focus on more important things...sounds like a good decade for me.
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This morning was breakfast with Kainoa and a swim in the deep blue sea. Float, float, floating my morning away without a care in the world. The ocean sung me all of its lullaby's and the morning sun took hold of my heart. Everything wonderful in my life surfaced to the forefront of my mind. The amazing family and friends I am blessed with. My beautiful son and motherhood. Triathlon and all that comes with it-including my manager, sponsors, coaches, team mates, other athletes I meet along the way, the travel, racing, and training... it's all so good.

Here is my swim, from all sorts of goofy angles as I had my camera hooked to my goggles then my hip...there really is something about the ocean...

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After the swim it was time to get some work done... then time to cook! The night brought over some of the people that matter most in my world. We danced and laughed and ate more burritos than humanly possible. It's now way past my bedtime. Day one of being 30 is a keeper!

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NIGHT!

Bree

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Today was just a run, but it was a really good one. After pretty much very little or no training for 3 weeks, a run of ONE FULL hour was on the plan and it felt SO GOOD to go. Dear Training, I've missed you! I'm so ready to get going again...the bikini's are getting way too tight! And there are so many new fun looking races all over the map for 2010! Patience Bree, patience...enjoy the recovery just a little longer...
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I've been packing away for Nicaragua. That lead me to browsing a friend of a friends fotos of Nicaragua, near the city I'm going, however he only had fotos of the towns and homes. The images he captured didn't surprise me and I'm not expecting a first class trip to a beautiful resort. I signed up for life with the locals and after being reassured they are happy to have me and I'd be safe, (including to run and swim and borrow a bike), I trust them...

Managaua, the bus stop that will take me to San Juan Del Sur....

A view of a local family's kitchen...
A living room...

Bus from Costa Rica, how lovely, a short 20 minute bus ride to Costa Rica

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Kainoa helped me with more packing today. We started to pack things for the children. I appreciate all the offers (including you Claudia), to send me with clothes and things for adults, however, this trip is just for the kids... school supplies, tooth brushes, books, clothes. Kainoa keeps begging to go. He loves to see the fotos and it makes me smile how he does not even recognize that they have on no shoes and their clothes are dirty with holes. He just sees their smiles. He wants to go share all his books too. And the kitchens and bathrooms, he just notices they have a sink, not that it's so small and very simple. I hope he never loses that sense of appreciation and his big heart. I promised him when he gets a little older he can come with me to share with all the children...he would love it.

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Today Kainoa was home sick from school. I've never seen so much throw up in my life. To make him feel better we celebrated Christmas today! We turned on the Christmas lights, opened the gifts under the tree, even the stockings! We stayed in pajamas most the day too. It was perfect.

His only adventure out of the house was Taco Tuesday and Orange Tree with the Kiwi boys, Dave, and Wendy. Oh we gave everyone a show... Tacos everywhere! Orange Tree didn't go any better...

Wendy did her best to let Kainoa know it's okay... he was so happy to be out of the house and around friends after being inside with mom all day. However, his tummy wasn't ready for burritos. I blame the Kiwi's.

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Kainoa is now sleeping so peaceful, this will be a Christmas holiday I will never forget...

Happy Holidays!!

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Bree.

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In 3 days I am going to be 30. Being 30 is the fun part, to have experienced the life I have lived and done as much as I have in only 30 years makes me feel young...and proud of the wondering wanderer/adventurer that I am. The part I'm not a big fan of is single motherhood. I'd never wish that on anyone, you know why? Holidays hurt.
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Every other year is the big switcheroooo. Last year Kainoa was with me for 3 Christmas weeks, this year I had 3 Thanksgiving weeks. This will be the very first Christmas I won't spend with Kainoa since he was in my belly. Ick. Thinking on it took my breath away and Santa just became the least fun person in the world. In fact I've been grumpy... Dave and Wendy had to take me salsa dancing to get me back to "Bree". And I won't tell you the trouble they caused with their choice of "dancing partners" for me...
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Anyways...I needed to find a way to turn my rain storm into an ocean or a flood of misery would consume me. A map in hand, a goal, and a little help from my old school... I was going BACK TO SCHOOL! 3 weeks would get me 3 credits! 30 hours a week would be a PERFECT fix for this momma, imagine, no time to pout and whine when your head is focused on SPANISH!
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I know what you're thinking.... she is going BACK to Costa Rica for the 10th time, where she studied her senior year of college (see above foto). No, the map in hand.... I chose somewhere new, somewhere I have yet to discover. The most I know of this country is when I was in Honduras and we jumped the North boarder, shhhhhhh. I am going to Nicaragua! For school! Really! Yes crazy, why back to school, because I want to keep my teaching degree current, I want to study more Spanish, and this school has a volunteer program so I can work with kids!
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Language classes all day, Latin dance classes, cooking classes, I signed up for them all! AND I get a family for Christmas! I'll be living with a local family that speaks no English...a mom, a 28 year old brother and his wife, and their 5 year old son. Kainoa and I did holiday shopping for them, (and all the neighborhood children). Rumor has it my new brother surfs too, and the school is on the beach, Pacific Ocean I LOVE YOU!

For sure the Nicaragua experience will keep me busy and help me keep the smile while missing my Kainoa. AND yesterday I was given the news that after all my planning Kainoa and his dad are coming back without the stop in California and I get to have Kainoa back sooner than later! Of course that made me happy, changing my flight did not. However, while waiting to hear the cost of a change fee for my earlier return flight the woman told me she will be giving me back $400!!! AMAZING, not only do I get to explore Nicaragua, get a bit of schooling, I also get Kainoa back sooner and I didn't get slammed with a flight change fee! I like Santa again....

Enough of my sappy single motherhood drama... look at this hilarious moment with Kainoa's first time playing ski-ball........... he has a lot to learn!

Buenos Noches...

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Browsing through heaps of "Kainoa fotos" I discovered, children are too cool. Maybe because they just follow their hearts without thinking of the effects...like really wanting to run over the beach rocks barefoot to the water without realizing the effects of stepping on the sharp lava until they are half way to the water with bleeding feet...
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When someone makes a descision, he is diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he never dreamed of when first making that descision. Paulo Coelho

You can become blind by seeing each day as a similar one. Each day is a different one, each day brings a miracle of its own. It's just a matter of paying attention to this miracle. Paulo Coelho
Everything that happens once can never happen again. But everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time. Paulo Coelho

Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience. Paulo Coelho

Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dream. Paulo Coelho

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After reading all the Paulo Coelho quotes (he is one of my favorite authors) and browsing hunderds of Kainoa fotos, I decided I better be more child like... so in a week, this girl has an adventure planned. Thanks Kainoa for helping me keep on living to the fullest. I'll scoop you on the adventure later, I have holiday shopping to do for some Nicaraguans first :)

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Like I said, Costa Rica, camping under only the stars, sleeping on a futon, eating only beans and rice, never having to dress up, are fine for this girl. In fact, it's preferred... The 5 star life going on Lana'i is so VERY different. Today my mission was to "go with it". This morning when the sunscreen boy came around (after pineapples, cold towels, umbrellas, waters, ect.) I went for the "5 star spoiled treatment...I got sun screened!

I even took the umbrella (just not that foo foo lawn chair). The umbrella actually created the PERFECT shade for my hour of reading and writing :) Today was going to be a good day, I could tell...

Before I even begin this post, MAHALO to Pat and Mark for making such an incredible island hop so completely possible! What a blast...5 islands down, one more to go! Molokai anyone???

Today's plan was a swim, no problem! The water here is so different than in Kona. It's a sandy bottom with only a few coral beds. The bright white sand created the most amazing twinkle in the water. It was like an electric blue with the sun rays piercing through it, stringing shades of green! Oh it was captivating, alluring, and totally refreshing! Back and forth in a beautiful ocean of blue...

Today's discovery, other than the beauty of Lana'i, is that everywhere is beautiful in it's own way if you are happy with the company you keep. For example, Florida. I'll be honest, hoping Floridian's don't hold it against me, Florida is one of my least favorite places on the map to visit. I do my best to avoid racing there, to avoid traveling there, to just not be there. However, the very moment I step off the plane and see my mom waiting for me at the arrival gate Florida feels like the best place in the world! Hawaii and all the other lands I love drift away and I'm totally at peace in Florida, it becomes the best place I know.

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Then we get to my sisters house, my aunts home, my parents, my grandma's, and Florida becomes like A DREAM land! Truly, the world is FULL of beautiful places, amazing views, and unforgettable horizons, (I know, I've seen lots of the world). However, it really isn't the beaches, the tall trees, the mountains, it is the people....the company... that make all the great places in the world so great.

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Once I went to one of my most favorite little towns in Costa Rica and for a couple days of that trip it was so ugly to me. I wasn't fascinated by the beaches, the cute little towns, and even the beans and rice in that town tasted boring. That trip, I was traveling alone and I hadn't met any strangers to share the experience with. Soooooooooooo, after all this travel, and this trip to another Hawaiian island, I am convinced without a doubt, that really it's family, friends, and the people of all these places in the great big world that make the world beautiful...

After the beach we went to the country... ha ha... Lana'i is 2 very different worlds! Away from the beach you would have no idea (by looking at fotos only) that Lana'i is an island, in the Pacific, created by a volcano! This place is MAGIC like that! In fact, my friend Robin just filled me in on some Lana'i info. A few hundred years ago the edges of Lana'i fell off into the ocean creating the biggest tsunami ever to hit the islands. The edges of Lana'i are now some of the most tall, steepest cliffs in the world. AND I agree, I stood on the edge of a few of these cliffs, looked over at the ocean, and nearly shook out of my skin with fear! It's unreal...

The sun has now settled into the sky for another night...the stars are beginning to fill the sky. Turn down service just happened (chocolates included), and it's time to enjoy a little more 5 star living...the hot tub (under a sky of stars) is calling my name! A girls gotta recover from all this exploring right???

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To all the people that make my life beautiful, thank you! AND mom, no offense about the Florida thing.

Bree

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Like a little girl at Christmas, I was in awe, wonder, and totally amazed! Could this be real? A trip to Lana'i on the littlest plane I've ever seen, flying over the Pacific so close to all the Hawaiian islands, so close I wanted to reach out and touch them! It was a dream...and I am now listening to the ocean, amazed at my day, and feeling pretty happy...

I've never been in a private plane so this was pretty spectacular to me. We got to wear head sets that made me feel like Tom Cruise in Top Gun. However, I was too speechless to really take full advantage of mine.

We were on our way to Lana'i. From the flight I was able to get a birds eye view of the island of Kahoolawe!! This is perhaps the island I want to visit most, however being a nonHawaiian girl I have a better chance of swimming there then a plane ever getting me there. For sure this flight was the closest I might ever get, it was good enough...not much to see on that island...

Soon Lana'i came into view... population just over 3,000. It was beautiful from the sky. Soon enough I discovered it was beautiful to run around too! Roads and trails of red, a lot like Kauai. I love running in new places. The simplicity of only needing run shoes makes it all so worthwhile to see-what-you-see....

What a beautiful run, I better say that again like I mean it, "WHAT A BEAUTIFUL RUN!". A little trail along the coast, the most perfect 70* temperature, it was all the good things that running is...this is my life! Totally in shock, totally pinching myself that I took a little plane with some friends, to a little island, and was spending the day running around like this...

The beaches were nice too. However, I needed to escape the comfort of the beach resort. The hotel we were given is $800 a night kind of place. Never have I been in a place like this, it's not fully my style, but I did my best to act like I belong. After pineapples, waters, cold towels, umbrellas, and sunscreen were brought out by the hour I needed to get back to my reality...so I took a nice walk away from it all...to a quiet spot...like the kind I know....

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I'm not saying I didn't appreciate it, it just felt weird. And I have another story... tonight I was home-alone or hotel-alone, watching Snowman on TV when I heard a knock on the door. I thought it was Pat so I shout for him to come in. More knocking, so I get up to get it. It's an employ of the hotel telling me something about turn down. She repeated, "Time to turn down". I told her I was so sorry, I love Frosty The Snow Man, I didn't realize my TV was so loud, I'll turn it down. She came in, told me, she would do turn down. Then she gave me waters and was heading for my messy bed. I told her no need, she told me she wants to "turn down" my bed... ha ha....... never in my life have I been so spoiled in a hotel, hilarious! I wish I could say I could get use to this, but again, not my style, except getting free waters!!

Tahiti! My dream trip! Again, this might be as close as I get to this island, nah, I think I'll get there one day :) You don't have to be fully Hawaiian to visit, like Kahoolawe. Yes, I did find a stray cat, loved him!

The thing I noticed most about this island is that it's far from "tropical". In fact, it felt like I was in the country somewhere most the day. Lots of farm area, horses, not much beach at all, and I only saw 3 cars, all the rest were huge pick up trucks and tractors. Not to mention, it's very cold here. Even at the beach I had to have my beach blanket on! Now it's bed time, a sky full of stars are above me, waves crashing outside, and pineapple in my belly. Ahhhh, life is good. Tomorrow is a swim, where I hope to discover the beauty under the sea!!

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Good night from Lana'i!

Bree

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Break out the pineapples this girl is going to Lanai! Lanai is the 42nd largest island in the US and the 6th largest in the Hawaiian Island chain. Also, lucky for me, the pineapple island-yummmmmy! 6th largest doesn't mean BIG, Lanai is 13 by 18 miles, talk about riding around the island a few times! I can hardly wait!
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That little list I treasure is certainly tackling a lot of check-offs! My absolute fantasy is to visit all the Hawaiian Islands (well, not all 260 something), just the 8 major ones. Sadly, I think I will only ever see 6, and this is number 5. The other 2 I pretty much need to be 100% Hawaiian or marry a 100% Hawaiian man that speaks Hawaiian and pretty much lives in a grass skirt. I'm no fortune teller but my odds of becomming 100% Hawaiian (since I was born Indian, Irish, German, American mutt) will likely never change...
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This island hopping is really exciting. It all started because Pat has a free hotel for a few days and Mark has a private plane that needs fixing and when the "Do you want to go" came to me, I said, "How can I say no". So I go. Kainoa is with his dad, I only have a swim and run on the plan as the off-season/recovery carries on the next couple days, and I have never been one to turn down a free adventure in travel! Only thing I have to pay for is food, consider me eating pineapples!
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My camera, journal, book, bikini, run shoes, cap & goggles are packed for the jump across the Pacific, the big ol' 20 minute jump! It feels like Santa came to visit me early, I'm so excited! I promise to take heaps of fotos as I know this opportunity is a total dream! Enjoy your week... next stop, Lanai! Oh, and for all of you thinking I am taking a "warm vacation", turns out Lanai is the coldest island! It is 1700ft all around and reaches a high of 72*.... today it was in the 60's.... so maybe I should bring the wetsuit too.... ha ha...

Night from Kona.
Bree

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Back in action... in Kona that is! How wonderful it is to be on DAY 2 of "a float in the ocean". I'm happily in love with all things life & ocean swimming, I mean floating, once again!!! The weather is perfect right now, not too hot, and not cold...just perfect for anything and everything outside. The nights are good too, you can actually use covers at night in Kona and not have a heat stroke. The stars are extra big too, that makes for more wishes on bigger & brighter ones!

The sands are shifting here in Kona for me... from loads of swimbikerun to more floats, easy spins, cruising with friends, and just sitting at the pier for however long feels content with the sister and her little family. It's nice. I'm trying to really, fully enjoy it, as sooner or later it will be full-time trimomma again. The brain is already recovered. How do I know? Because I want to run the Honolulu or Costa Rica Marathon in 2 weeks. Of course I didn't dare ask coach, he let me go to Cozumel, that was the deal, that and no winter marathon.... but when you are totally eager to train and the motivation is high then I think you are mentally recovered. Physically recovered, not yet...at least I don't think, I've yet to attempt anything other than chase Kainoa and float.

Lots is changing, I'm do all the things that usually go on the "News Years Resolution" list right now so when the New Year is here I am already done or started on the 2010 goals. No, I'm not type A, I just decided to start now since life has some time. In fact, I cleaned my house for almost 2 hours today, (and my home is really small)... The Kiwi's are coming, they are on the beach if I don't give them my floor and couch so I decided to clean... probably a darn dumb idea as they are not known to be at all clean... oh well, Kainoa will enjoy a couple more kids and I will enjoy baking and cooking for more than me and Kainoa!

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I'm still working on booking that flight somewhere warm, ha ha... Life has also served up some surf! Ahhhhh, consider the wax and leash ready for the soon coming swell. My other mission is to find the owner of a black bike that somehow is STILL on my lanai from almost 6 weeks ago. Dave said I stole it in the night, I think someone left it here. I'll keep it.

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Finally, books are my friend. In Florida my mother took the book nerd in me book shopping, then I found a couple more on my own, now totaling 11 books! 2 are already pau!! I have to recommend one to all the girls out there who are total dreamers for their prince charming... it's called, "Someday my prince will come". It is so hilarious, like laugh out loud funny. Pretty much I only read nonfiction so this book, knowing some girl really lived like this, cracks me up with every page. She always dreamed of marrying a prince, a real one from England. When she gets older she really goes on her mission to find one and that is all I will tell! Ask for it as a stocking stuffer!! The other book will complete my mission as a single mom...."New Start for Single Moms". Okay, single motherhood isn't new anymore but I still need all the help I can get. AND this book I hope I never have to recommend to anyone, it's good but I would rather you stay happily married :)

Finally, the tree is up, hot pink, hula girls, and hibiscus... it was only 9 bucks, couldn't resist! The stockings are hung too. We strung lei's around the top of them rather than the usual white poofy part. Tonight the lights go up on the lanai. It's Christmas in Kona & we love it!

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Now we are about to bake holiday cookies! Talk about off-season activities!

Happy Weekend!!

Bree

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Kona is FREEZING! We have to breakout the wetsuits! The bikini's will take a break during the winter while ocean swimming, we even spotted a dolphin in ear muffs! ha ha ha, just kidding! It feels so good to be home. The plans for off-season are in the making, oh it looks like a lot of trouble in paradise, and to those of you who have written such nice messages about following this blog throughout the season, thank you for the support and I'll try to keep the fun going even while the lack of swimbikerun is hibernating.
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Next week the crazy Kiwi's, Bryan Rhodes and Aaron Billings are coming to Kona, that should start with the winter wonderland fun! Mauna Kea had it's first snow, but it already melted, I have the snow beanie ready and a group of us are already planning a trip to the top to freeze our okole's off!
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Kainoa is begging Santa for a camera for Christmas, that should keep the blog fotos interesting! And the pregnant sister looks about to pop, even though she has about 3 months to go, my fun will be poking her belly and teasing Nick about changing diapers. I might even get those Christmas cards in the mail sooner than later! Of course we have to find a tree too...
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Today, the farmers market, a swim in the ocean, try to undo all the spoiling Kainoa was lavished upon from the grandparents, and put the bike together... I might even book a flight somewhere warm, ha ha ha.... really.
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Finally, thank you SO much to Johnson Blanton, Travis the MAN-ager, Coach Paul and Lifesport, Coach Steve and Kona Aquatics, K-Swiss, Trakkers, Argon 18, Splish, Blue Seventy, Cera Sport, Bike Works, The Club in Kona, Healing Island Massage, J Schott Family, my family, the amazing training partners for dealing with me all year, of course God and Kainoa, and the blog readers for the darn funniest comments that sometimes had me on the floor (I saved those!). Let the Holiday fun begin!!

Bree

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Recovery swim...

My get-away on the jetski...
Looking into the blue...
Amigo Favorito...

My last hours in Cozumel were spent next to the sea, colors of blue surrounded me, the sun was shining down, children were playing in the sand, and I had a papaya in my hands. Such a beautiful life is all I could say over and over, about my life. I wanted one last look from the end of the pier so I left my Argentina amigo in the sand tomando el sol and I was alone with my thoughts. Of course my thoughts were soon interrupted by a man on a jet ski that was riding waves.

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My 2 thoughts were to jump off the end of the pier and pretend I need rescuing as to get a ride or wave like a crazy lady in need of his help. I waved like a crazy lady and the jet ski soon came to meet me at the end of the pier. After reassuring him I knew how to swim I dove into the sea and was soon on the back of a jet ski playing in the waves. The moment reminded me of a woman in love getting rescued by her prince charming then riding off into a beautiful sunset…but I wasn’t in love with “Hernando” and I didn’t need rescuing from my life, I just wanted a fast ride in colors of blue.

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The ride ended up with a nice walk along a sandy white beach. This time I got to enjoy my thoughts. I thought a lot about triathlon and how I invest so much into it all out of the passion I have for it. Then I thought about how this season I would have felt so unsatisfied with my race results if I hadn’t come to Mexico for one more effort, one more chance to push through, one more round. Eneko Llanos was telling Pablo that when his races, or season in sport does not go as planned, he continues on as long as he is enjoying it, and if a day comes he isn’t loving it then it’s time to move on. As for me, I am still crazy in love with this sport, crazy about figuring it, crazy about how it makes life better for me and my son.

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With that, I was content and could put this season at rest. Time to enjoy the holidays, the simple things I love, more beach days with Kainoa, running just to run, and whatever else life has in store for me. When coach gives me the green light to make my 2010 plans I will be ready. I’m going to put my peso payday in the bank with a smile, thankful again that at this time in my life, this is my career.

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During the flight I finished reading that book, "The Last Lecture", you should read it... it's amazing how easy it is to be content with the life you have when you realize time is all you have. It makes you want to just live fully alive, take chances, make a move, risk nothing, dare to dream, and of course never settle in a moment when you know you can make the moment better. The part that hit me on the way home was when he said, "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted". That pretty much sums up my entire life, all areas of it this season. Sport, love, family, finances, I got a lot of experience in all those areas...and experience when met with opportunity is when dreams come true right???

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Okay, Kainoa and I are off on another Floridian adventure. As long as no gators are involved I'm sure it will be a nice day. And of course, my bike, lost in the USA. Looks like I might really have an "off season". Enjoy the day!!

Bree

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